Becoming a solicitor can be an extremely rewarding and highly paid career. But it’s also a very long and complicated process that requires resilience, hard work and determination.
If you have a logical mind, good attention to detail and enjoy working in teams towards a common goal, then a career as a solicitor in Glasgow, could be the right choice for you.
Studying For A Law Degree
Law degrees are a good way to develop the skills you need to become a solicitor in the UK. They teach you how to conduct research, analyse complex information and draft legal documents.
They also help you learn how to argue in court and negotiate with opposing parties. These skills are valuable in any career.
The ability to think on your feet and meet deadlines is crucial in this fast-paced industry, as is strong analytical thinking and attention to detail. Additionally, you need to be able to communicate clearly and confidently with clients in an assertive manner.
Legal Practice Course
The Legal Practice Course (LPC) is one of the routes to becoming a solicitor in the UK. It involves a two-stage training programme that can be completed either full or part time with an authorised LPC provider.
The first stage focuses on the core practice areas of business law, property law and litigation, and develops the skills of advocacy, client care and drafting. The second stage contains three vocational electives that allow you to specialise in the areas of law that you choose.
Alternatively, some providers bundle their LPC into a postgraduate degree – often known as an LLM in Legal Practice. These courses are more in depth, requiring an independent research project.
Solicitors Qualifying Examinations
The Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) are an important change to the route to becoming a solicitor in the UK. They replace the academic stage and part of the vocational stage of the old route.
The SQE is split into two parts – the SQE1 exam tests for legal knowledge, and the SQE2 exam tests for practical skills. It’s important to pass both exams before you can take on a training contract.
Training Contract
Getting a training contract is an essential step for becoming a solicitor in the UK. It’s a bit like an apprenticeship and allows you to build up your experience of working in a law firm.
A training contract usually lasts for a fixed period of time, typically two years full-time. During this time you’ll be supervised by a training principal or supervisor who will help you develop your skills and knowledge of working as a solicitor.
In many firms, you’ll be placed on a rotational system of six-month placements across different legal departments, giving you the opportunity to see a range of law practice areas and experience how they work together. Some law firms also offer a non-rotational training contract where you remain in one department but have the chance to spend six months working on different matters.